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Texas A&M Sets Unity Event During White Nationalist's Speech

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HOUSTON (AP) — Texas A&M University says it will hold an event to highlight diversity and unity at the same time a white nationalist is set to speak at the College Station campus in December.

The "Aggies United" event was scheduled after Richard Spencer, who leads a movement that mixes racism, white nationalism and populism, was invited to speak on Dec. 6 by a former student, who can reserve campus space available to the public.

A&M spokeswoman Amy Smith said Wednesday the event at the university's football stadium will be a chance for the school and the community to "be unified with our disgust really for this person."

In a statement, A&M President Michael Young says Spencer won't be prevented from speaking as the school values freedom of speech.

The Anti-Defamation League said in a statement it's confident Spencer's message of bigotry will be rejected by the community.

(© Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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